Analysis:

The Cleveland Browns travel to historic Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have been decimated by injuries to both their wide receiver and linebacker positions and will be hard pressed to field a 46 man playing roster for the contest. This Browns team is not your father’s Browns (unless your father grew up in the 60’s) as they are a much improved unit on defense and sport some dangerous weapons on offense for the first time in years. The Packers will be wearing the 1929 uniforms for the game.

Image Courtesy of the Green Bay Packers Official Website

Packers keys:

On defense Green Bay may be starting two rookies at outside linebacker in undrafted Andy Mulumba and sixth rounder Nate Palmer from Illinois State. Converted lineman Mike Neal missed practice Wednesday but may be available to start at one of the outside slots. The Packers will look to generate pass rush using defensive coordinator Dom Capers blitz packages to offset the loss of the teams best pass rushers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. Expect the Browns to attack through the air in this match up with speedy wide receiver Josh Gordon and tight end Jordon Cameron as they will have trouble running the ball into the Packers stout run defense. On offense wide receiver Randall Cobb is out and James Jones is likely to miss the game. In step Jarrett Boykin and Myles White, two undrafted free agents will join Jordy Nelson as the only healthy receivers to suit up. With Nelson being covered by shutdown corner Joe Haden, the young receivers will need to step up and gain quarterback Aaron Rodgers trust. Eddie Lacy should get plenty of work on the ground with so many weapons being relegated to the trainers table. The Cleveland defense has been equally tough against both the run and the pass so expect a somewhat balanced attack from the Green Bay offensive unit.

Browns Keys:

On offense Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden tends to hold on to the ball too long as he goes through his reads. If he has time he should be able to be effective throwing to Cameron and Gordon. Expect the Browns to try and run the ball early, but with Willis McGahee in the backfield, do not expect much in the way of a ground game. On defense the Browns will be keying on Eddie Lacy and try to make the Packers young receivers beat them. If Green bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has time he will pick any defense apart regardless of the receiving core so look for the Browns to send extra defenders to keep his comfort level in the pocket at a minimum.

Crystal Ball:

Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy scores once and tight end Jermichael Finley scores two touchdowns. On the Cleveland side Josh Gordon and Jordon Cameron each reach the end zone in a hard fought contest.